Cross: Super show by team champions Hope

Defending champions Hope Factory Racing carried on where they left off last year with victory in the opening round of the Rapha Super Cross series held in the majestic surroundings of Broughton Hall.

Hope, Hargroves-Specialized and Rapha/GB Development all had two riders in the top seven in the feature elite race, but it was the third counting man who made the difference with Dave Collins taking 12th place for the holders – based in nearby Barnoldswick and led by individual winner Paul Oldham – to give them the verdict.

Oldham confirmed National Trophy placings from the previous week with Jody Crawforth (Hargroves-Specialized), while Under-23s Steve James (Hargroves-Specialized) and Adam Martin (Rapha/GB Development) filled the next two positions as they reversed Abergavenny form with Hugo Robinson (Rapha/GB Development), who came in sixth behind Rob Jebb (Hope Factory Racing).

Dirtwheels Cycles, from nearby Otley, were awarded a special ‘showboating’ team prize, largely down to the bunny-hopping skills of Rob Watson who keot the crowd entertained by clearing the planks every lap.

Over 400 riders took part across the various categories and age groups, with the second round set for this Saturday at Misterton Hall, Lutterworth, before the October 28 finale at London’s Alexandra Palace.

British Cycling would like to thank the organising team, officials and everyone else who helped promote this event. Our sport could not exist without the hundreds of people, many of them unpaid volunteers, who put in many hours of hard work running events, activities and clubs.